Pima County inmate dies after 'use of force' encounter with guard

A 53-year-old male inmate at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex in Tucson died Thursday after an encounter with a corrections officer, officials said.

The incident, which occurred just after 2 p.m., was described as a "use-of-force encounter'' between the officer and inmate, who was not identified, according to a statement from the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

The statement did not specify what force was used or provide additional details about the encounter.

Officials said lifesaving measures were administered, but the inmate died of his injuries.

The corrections officer was not injured.

The statement noted that Pima County corrections officers have limited force options available to them. These were described as "officer presence, verbal communications, soft empty hand control techniques, pain compliance techniques, Oleoresin Capsicum spray, and hard empty hand control techniques.''

The investigation was ongoing, officials added.

CLOSE

Readers can send news tips to azcentral.com via the newspaper's social media channels, email or by calling the office.
Wochit